Container filling valve



Aug. 4, 1959 Filed Dec. 28,1955

1 VADAS Q 2,897,855

CONTAINER FILLING VALVE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Aug. 4, 1959 vADA-s CONTAINER F'ILLING VALVE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed. DeC. 28, 1955 62 |NvEN-ron LESLIE vADAs ATTORNEY L. vADAs .l 2,897,855

Aug. 4, 1959 CONTAINER FILLING VALVE Filednec. 28, 1955 f 4 sheets-sheet 3 INVENTOR LESLIE VADAS AI'I'ORNEY Aug. 4, 1959 L. VADAS 2,897,855

CONTAINER FILLING VALVE Filed Deo. 28, 1955 v 4 sheets-sheet 4A '70d v 92C" wea 1I-"I E E 5 226 Q la@ l I Y '-08 202 x I' I 205C 200 we g C i 25 243 24o L' 4 92er i I 2261, aoo |a\' 202 2041? 'lwl" Il 25o 2255 3&32r la/ol' l 253/ 255 f o i 260 2", Il I INVENI'QR LESLIE VADAS ATTORNEY United States Patent() CONTAINER FILLING VALVE Leslie Vadas, Los Gatos, Calif., assignor to Food Machinery and Chemical Corporation, San Jose, Calif., a corporation of Delaware Application December 28, 1955, Serial No. 555,896

30 Claims. (Cl. 141-286) The present invention pertains to liquid filling machines and more particularly relates to an improved valve for filling liquid into large-mouth containers, such as cans.

In modern can filling machines the cans pass through the machine very rapidly. As a result the time interval, during which the filling valve is held open, is very short. Accordingly, air must be forced out of the can and liquid moved into the can in a very short period of time. When the filling valves that are presently available are employed under such rapid operating conditions, the cans are inaccurately filled due to air being entrapped in the can after the valve is closed, and an excessive amount of foaming of the liquid occurs. In addition, due tohigh speed operation, slopping occurs at the time filling valve and the filled can are separated.

It is, therefore, one object of the present invention to provide a filling valve capable of quickly and accurately filling cans.

Another object is to provide a filling valve having an improved vent means capable of quickly releasing air from the can being filled whereby to minimize foaming of the liquid and inaccurate filling.

Another object is to provide a vent passage in the filling valve of the present invention that may be easily and completely opened throughout its entire length for purposes of cleaning. Y

Another object is to provide means for simply and dependably locking the components of the valve in assembled condition. f

Another object is to provide a filling valve which may be quickly disassembled without tools.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a single type of filling valve capable of efficiently handling a range of liquids having different viscosities.

Another object is to provide means for adapting the valve of the present invention for use when filling liquid into cans that have been packed with large pieces of easily bruised produce.

It is another object of the present filling valve to provide means whereby headspace adjustment may be made regardless of tacky liquids on the terminal end of the valve.

Another object, of the present invention is to provide in a filling valve, means to prevent spillin-g of liquid from the can when the filled can breaks contact with the valve at the end of the filling operation.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following specification andthe accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a vertical section taken centrally through the filling valve of the present invention, including a portion ice of a filling machine with which the valve is associated.

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section taken along lines 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the filling valve shown in Fig. l, parts being removed to reveal the detail of parts therebelow.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary horizontal section of a filling machine with which the valve of the present invention may be used.

Fig. 5 is a perspective of the core of the filling valve of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary perspective of a portion of the valve core shown in Fig. 5, viewing the side opposite to the side shown in Fig. 5. v

Fig. 7 is a section taken in the direction of the arrows 7-7 of Fig. 5

Figs. 8, 9, and l0 are sections taken centrally throughl a portion of the present filling valve showing, respectively, modified forms of interchangeable can sealing gaskets.

The improved filling valve of the present invention is of the type which is generally used in conjunction with rotary filling machines, such as the machine disclosed in Patent No. 1,355,015 issued to vAlbert R. Thompson. Details of construction and operation of a filling machine with which the present filling valve can be used may be had from reference to the above-mentioned Thompson patent. The present description, therefore, will be directed principally to the construction and operation of the valve of the present invention.A

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to Fig. l, a plurality of filling valves 12 are mounted in spaced relation in suitable openings spaced around the peripheral portion of the bottom wall of a cylindrical liquid reservoir or supply tank 14 of a filling machine 16 to extend below the tank in a manner to be described later. The filling machine 16 (Figs. l `and 4) is constructed and arranged so that the tank 14 is supported for rotation in a horizontal plane by means of a vertical, hollow shaft 18. As may be understood from Fig. 4, the hollow shaft 18 is journaled for rotation in the direction of the arrow 19 in bearings (not shown) in the bed 20 of the filling machine 16. A turret 22, disposed below the tank 14 and mounted upon the shaft 18 to rotate therewith, is provided with a series of peripherally positioned can holders 24. Each of the can holders 24 (Fig. l) includes a table 25 upon which cans are supported while ltraveling through the machine and a bottom guide iiange 26 (Fig. 4) formed integrally on the trailing side of the table 25 and extending a short distance above the table to assist in transferring the cans from a feed conveyor 27 associated with the filling machine onto the table 25 of the holder. Spaced above the guide fiange 26 is a semicircular bracket 28 lthat is connected by means of a vertical strut 29 to the table 25. The guide flange 26 and the bracket 28 are both circularly curved to conform to a can of a certain diameter with the center of the circular curve aligned with the axis of the filling valve above the holder. During the filling operation, each of the can holders 24 travels in indexed relation with one of the filling valves, and as the holder and the valve travel along together, thev holder is elevated to bring the upper edge of a can on the holder into contact with the associated valve. Each of the can holders 24 is mounted upon a vertical sliding rod 30 (Fig. 4) that is received in a suitable guide 31 of the turret 22. A cam follower roller 32 is mounted for free .rotation on each of the sliding rods 30 by means of a pin 33. The follower rollers 32 of the can holders 24 ride upon a stationary, circular cam track 34 which is secured on the bed 20 of the filling machine and is shaped to move the can holders vertically, toward and away from the filling valves, during rotation of the turret of the machine.

-Cans 36 to be filled are fed to the machine 16 by the feed conveyor 27 (Fig. 4). A chain 40 of the conveyor 27 is trained around a sprocket 42 that is driven by means of a shaft 44 through a train of gears 46 from the machine 16. Upon operation of the filling-machine from a source of power (not shown) Vdrag flights 48 on the chain 40 advance the cans 36, previously placed on Ia tablev 38, in the direction of the arrow 49 (Fig. 4) be,- tween parallel guides 50 in timed relation to the movement of the can holders 24. As may be understood from Fig. 4, when a can 36 has reached a point adjacent a can holder 24'and between a second pair of guide rails 52 and 54, it is transferred from the horizontal feed conveyor 27 onto the table 25 against the bottom guide flange 26 (Figs. 1 and 4) of the can holder 24. One end 56 of lthe guide flange 26 engages the can as it leaves the conveyor 27 to move the can onto the holder and into the filling machine. During this operation, the can 36 is moved along the guide rail 52 which assists in bringing the can into engagement with theV semicircular bracket 28 and into centered position on the can holder 24. Adjacent the end of the guide rail 52 is a can centering star wheel 60 that isrprovided with equally spaced semicircular pockets 62 which cooperate with the semicircular brackets 28 of the can holders 24 to align the axis of the can with that of the valve 12. For an appropriate period of time each can 36 is raised by the can holders 24 by engagement of their follower rollers 32 with the cam 34, to engage means on the valve, as will be described in detail hereinafter, to open the filling valve 12 and permit liquid from the supply tank 14 to ow through the valve into the can 36. During entry of liquid into the can, air from the can, is vented to the atmosphere. Subsequently, the filled can is removed from the machine after it is lowered by the can holder to close the lling valve.

The tank 14, to which the lling valves 12 are removably secured in liquid tight relation, includes a reinforced bottom 64 (Fig. l) having countersunk openings 66 of a size suitable to receive a bushing 68 of a body portion 70 of the valve 12. Each bushing 68 includes a cylindrical, lower end portion 74 and a frusto-conical seat 78 at the upper end 80. A groove 82 is formed in the bushing 68 adjacent the seat 78, and threads 84 are provided in an enlarged diameter portion 86 on the exterior of the bushing between the cylindrical portion 74 and the groove 82. When attaching the valve 12 to the tank 14, a suitable resilient gasket or O-ring 88 is first placed in the groove 82. Upon insertion of the bushing 68 into the tank 14, the frusto-conical seat 78 of the bushing and the O-ring 88 are brought into engagement with the countersunk surface of the opening 66 in the tank. Thereafter, a large diameter nut 90 is threadedly received on the threads 84 of the bushing 68 below the reinforced bottom 64 of the tank 14, to compress the O-ring 88 into sealing relation with and to hold the bushing securely in place in the tank.

The valve body 70 of the filling valve 12 includes, in addition to the bushing 68, a sleeve 92 which is disposed below the bushing 68 and is supported and guided for reciprocal movement relative to the bushing. The sleeve 92 includes a wall 94 at one end, having an inner diameter slightly greater than the bore of the bushing 68 with which it is associated. The upper endof the sleeve 92 is counterbored, as at 98, providing a cylindrical flange 100 on the sleeve. The counterbore 98 is of a diameter permitting the previously described cylindrical Yend 74 f the bushing 68 to telescope thereinto. A shoulder 102 (Fig. l) is formed exteriorly of the sleeve 92, extending radially therefrom at a point adjacent the juncture of the wall 94 and the cylindrical flange 100 of the sleeve member 92. The wall 94 of the sleeve 92 is in part provided with screw threads 106 immediately adjacent the shoulder 102 and is in part smoothly turned to provide a neck 108 adjoining the distal end of sleeve 92. The end of the wall 94, between the neck 108 and the inner diameter of the sleeve 92, is angularly disposed, providing a rusto-conical surface 110 concentric with the sleeve 92.

As previously mentioned, the cylindrical end 74 of the bushing 68 is positioned in the counterbore 98 of the sleeve 92 when the valve is assembled (Fig. l). While the adjacent surfaces of the cylindrical end portion 74 of the bushing and the cylindrical flange 100 of the sleeve 92 lie close to each other, these parts have been designed to provide a space 112 therebetween so that they do not contact each other during operation of the filling valve. In order, therefore, that leakage will not occur through the space 112 a gasket in the form of an O-ring 114 is provided. The O-ring 114 is disposed in a peripheral slot 116 (Fig. l) formed in the outside of the cylindrical end 74 of the bushing 68.

It will be evident from Fig. l, that the bore of the bushing 68 and the cylindrical wall 94 of the sleeve 92 of the valve body 70 are in axial alignment to provide a continuous opening 118 through the body, said opening being in communication with the supply tank 14. A valve core 120 is secured in fixed axial position in the bore of the bushing 68. Upon this xed valve core, the sleeve 92 (Fig. l) is slidably guided for movement toward or away from a valve head 122 formed on one end of the core to close or open the valve. The head has a conical upper surface 123 conforming closely to the angularity of the frusto-conical surface 110 of the sleeve 92. To assure a relatively snug t of the core in the bushing 68 and to provide an adequate guide surface for the sleeve 92, the core extending upwardly from the conical valve head 122 has a mutilated cylindrical configuration. The lower end 124 of the core, adjacent the valve head, upon which the sleeve 92 is mounted corresponds in diameter to that of the inside of the sleeve. The upper end 126 of thevcore is of slightly reduced diameter compared to the end 124. Between the lower, enlarged diameter end 124 and the upper, reduced diameter end 126 a shoulder y128 is formed. As may be seen (Figs. 3, 5 and 7) the mutilated cylindrical core takes the form, in cross-section, of a modified H. The crossbar of the H forms a web 130 extending across the core, while short peripherally extending portions 132 and 134 at one side of the web 130 and similar arcuate portions 136 and 138 extending from the other side of the web form the legs of the H. As shown in Figs. `1 and 5, the web 130 .and the .portions 132, 134 and 136, 138 are elongated axially ofthe core being disposed longitudinally thereof and extending from the conical surface 123 of the head 122. The portions 136 and 138 at one side of the web 130 (Fig. 5) are inclined upwardly from the valve head away from the web.

The longitudinally extending portions 132, 136 and 134, 138 provide in the lower end of the core oppositely disposed, fragmentary, exterior cylindrical surfaces 124a and 124k, respectively, between the valveliead and the shoulder 128. At a point opposite the midpoint of the web Lbetween the portions 136 and 138, a longitudinal projection 140 is disposed. The projection 140 extends from the valve head 122 and is provided below the shoulder 128 with a fragmentary cylindrical surface 124e. The fragmentary cylindrical Iguide surface formed on the end 124 by the surfaces 124a, 124b and 124e vare of suitable length, permitting limited axial sliding of the sleeve thereon, to open and close the valve while maintaining engagement between the cylindrical ange 100 and the O-ring 114 of the bushing. In the upper end 126 of the core above the shoulder 128, the portions 132, 136 and 134, 138 provide fragmentary arcuate, exterior surfaces 126a and 1261;, respectively. The upper end of the projection 140 above the shoulder 128 thereof includes a fragmentary cylindrical surface 126C. The fragmentary cylindrical surfaces formed on the end 126 by the surfaces 126a, 126b and 126C permits accurate positioning of the upper end of the core in the bushing.

In order for the present valve 12 to function to fill cans with liquid and to vent the cans during the filling operation, two longitudinal `slots 142 and 144 are formed in the core at opposite sides of the web between the portions 136, 138 and 132, 134, respectively. The slot 142 (Figs. 1 and 3) extends upwardly from the valve head 122 between the portions 136 and 138 and forms, in conjunction with the valve body 70, when the core is received in the opening 118 therein, a liquid passage 146 extending from the supply tank 14. The other slot 144 is located diametrically opposite the liquid passage at the other side of the web 130 and extends from the conical surface 123 of the valve head 122 between the portions 132 and 134 up through the core. A removable semi-cylindrical cover 148 (Figs. 1, 3, 6 and 7) encloses the slot 144 through substantially its entire length from a point adjacent the valve head 122 to the other end of the core to form in conjunction with the slot 144 a vent passage 150. The removability of the cover permits thorough cleaning of the vent passage, not easily accomplished with a permanently enclosed passage. The web 130 located between the liquid passage 146 and the vent passage 150 includes a flat surface 152 forming the bottom of the slot 144. The longitudinal portions 154 and 156 at the edges of the slot 144 are flattened to provide coplanar surfaces 158 (Fig. 5), while between each of the surfaces 158 and the flat surface of the slot 144 is an arcuate corner 160. The surfaces 158 do not extend completely to the conical surface 123 of the valve head as may be seen in Figs. 1 and 6 but end in an abutment 162 adjacent thereto. The cover 148 in conjunction with the slot 144, provides the enclosed vent passage 150 of elliptical cross-sectional shape in the core 120. Since the covers 148 of all the valves 12 are made to be interchangeable the outer radii of the upper end 148b and lower end V148e of the covers 148 as may be seen in Fig. 7, are somewhat less than the corresponding radii of the ends 124 and 126 of the core. When the core is locked in place in the bushing 68, axial movement of the cover relative to the core is prevented in the following manner. A shoulder 164 which aligns with the shoulder 128 of the core (Figs. 5, 6 and 7) is formed on the cover 148 between the ends 148a and 14811. When the cover is` in place over the `slot 144 the end 14851 of the cover rests upon the abutments 162 (Fig. 6) while the shoulder 164 of the core is in engagement with the end 74 of the bushing member.

On the upper reduced diameter end 126 of the core 120, two diametrically, oppositely disposed kerfs 166 (Figs. 3 and 5) are formed in the arcuate Surfaces 126a and 126b and extend in a plane normal to the axis of the core. The axial distance from the kerfs 166 to the shoulder 128 of the core is equal to the length of the bushing member 68. To Llock the valve core against axial movement in the bushing member 68, the assembled core and cover with the sleeve member thereon between the shoulder 128 and the valve head 122 is inserted with the end 124 into the blushing 68 to a point where the shoulder 128 engages the lower end of the bushing. A bifurcated key 168 is then slid into place with its prongs 170 engaged in the kerf 166 with the body 171 of the key flat against the upper end 80 of the bushing.

The conical valve head 122 of the core is of greater diameter than the end 124 of the core (Figs. l and 5) and has a concave lower surface 172 (Fig. 1). The peripheral edge 122a of the head 122 underlies the frusto-conical surface 110 of the sleeve wall 94 when the valve is assembled. It will be evident that upon reciprocation of the sleeve member 92, the frusto-conical surface (Fig. l) moves toward and away from the conical surface 123 of the valvehead 122.

As previously explained, the sleeve 92 is moved toward or away from the conical surface 123 of the valve head to close or open the liquid passage 146 and the vent passage 150. A resilient plastic or rubber valve seat 173 (Fig. l) is employed in the end of the wall 94 of the sleeve to assure proper closing of the valve. The valve seat 173 is in the form of a ring 174 having a cylindrical outer surface and a conical inner surface terminating near its lower end in a crown 176. A suitable dovetail slot 178 is formed in the frusto-conical surface 110 of the sleeve 92 to receive and retain the ring 174. To prevent retention of air behind the ring when installing the same in the slot 178, or suction during removal of the rings, small holes 180 (Figs. 1 and 8-10) are made through the wall of the sleeve 92 between the bottom of the slot 178 and the outside of the neck 108. A compression spring 181 which encircles the body 70 of the valve is interposed between the nut 90 on the bushing member 68 and the shoulder 102 of the sleeve member 92 to hold the sleeve member with the crown 176 of its valve seat 173 resiliently against the valve head 122 in valve closing position.

An axial projection 182 from the upper end 126 of the core (Figs. l, 3 and 4), in cooperation 'with the end 148b of the cover 148, surrounds the end of the Vent passage `and takes the form of a tenon 184 which mates with a socket 186 on the end of a removable vent passage extension 188. The vent passage extension 188, as may be seen in Fig. 2, closely approaches the generally elliptical, cross-sectional shape of the vent passage 150 in the core 120 shown in Figs. 3 and 7. The fact that the Vent passage and the extension are elliptical cross-sections and substantially unchanging in shape throughout the length of the passage and the extension, is of considerable importance to the rapid filling achieved by the valve of the present invention. A length of suitable rigid tubing, of which the vent passage extension 188 is formed, is expanded at one end to provide the previously mentioned socket 186. A portion of the wall of the extension is removed adjacent the other end and the remaining portion 190 (Fig. l) is bent to form a reverse culve deflector 192. j

One feature of the present valve structure is the manner of preventing accidental removal of the bifurcated key 168 that retains the core in the valve bushing member 68, yet permits easy disassembly of the filling valve 12 without the use of tools. For this purpose, a band 194 (Figs. l and 2) is attached in any suitable manner to the socket 186 of the extension 188 to form a loop 196 thereon extending from the extension in a direction opposite to that of the deflector 192. When the socket 186 of the extension is received upon the tenon 184 of the valve core 120 of an otherwise assembled valve, the loop 196 encompasses a tongue 198 formed on the body 171 of the bifurcated key 168 to extend therefrom in a direction normal to the plane of the prongs thereof. It is obvious to see from Figs. l and 2 that when the tongue 198 of the bifurcated key 168 is encompassed by the loop 196 of the extension 188, it is impossible for the key 168 to be withdrawn from the kerfs 166 in the core 120.

For the valve 12 to function to control the lling of cans 36, the sleeve 92 of the Valve must first be moved upwardly on the core 120 against the force of the compression spring 181 to move the valve seat 173 out of engagement with the valve head 122 and to open the valve 12 for entrance of liquid into the can 36 from the tank 14. When the can is full, the sleeve is permitted, under the intluence of the spring 181 to slide downwardly on the core until the valve 12 is again closed.

The sleeve 92 of each valve 12 is raised upwardly to valve opening position by means of a can on the can holder 24. When theholder 24 is elevated by means-of the vcam track 34, the vcan Vis moved upwardly with its open top or mouth making contact with a can sealing unit 200 (Fig. 1') carried by the vsleeve 92. Thecan sealing unit 200 comprises a holder 202 which is provided 'with a flat body portion 203 and a peripheral lip V204 having a'frusto-conicalY inner surface 206 that is inclined inwardly from the attachment of the lip to the`body 203 of the holder 202. As may be seen in Fig. l, the holder 202 includes a hub 210 thatextends from the body 203 in a direction opposite to that of the lip 204. The hub is internally threaded and received adjustably upon the screw threads 106 of the sleeve 92. A can sealing gasket 212 (Fig. 1) of resilient plastic or rubber material is disposed in the circular space in the holder 202 between the lip 204-and the sleeve 92. The thickness of the can sealing gasket 212 conforms substantially to the height of the lip .204, and the angularity of the outer edge 214 of the gasket 212 conforms to that of the frusto-conical surface 206 so that the gasket is retained in the holder 202. The sealinggasket 212 is provided with a center opening 216 which is of less diameter, when the gasket is unstressed, than the-diameter of the neck 108 of the sleeve 92 on which it is disposed when the hub 210 of the holder 202 is threadedly engaged on the threads 106 of the sleeve 92. Because of the resiliency of the material of which the sealing gasket 212 is made, the opening 216 therein engages the neck 108 of the sleeve member so snugly that liquid cannot enter between the neck 108 and the opening 216. The snugness of the fit of the sealing gasket 212 on the neck does not, however, prevent sliding adjustment of the sealing basket 212 along the neck 108 when the holder 202 is adjusted up or downon the sleeve 92. The sealing gasket 212 (Fig. l) is provided with a circular bear 218 on its exposed face, concentric with the central opening 216 in the gasket. The bead is moulded with the gasket so as to have a shallow cylindrical outer wall 220 and an inwardly and upwardly directed frusto-conical face 222. The face 222 and cylindrical wall220 are connected by a curved outer corner 224. The gasket 212 with the bead 218 is adapted for use when filling cans ranging in size from 3%; to 37/16 inches in diameter.

As may be best understood from previous description and Figs. l and 4, of the drawings, when a can 36 is raised by the can holder 24 of the filling machine -16 (shown only fragmentarily) it is in accurate, axial alignment with the filling valve thereabove. Therefore, when the can engages the can sealing gasket 212, it is in accurately centered relation therewith establishing a narrow circular pocket 225 between the cylindrical wall 220 of the gasket and the inside of the can. Then, upon further upward movement of the can 36 by the can holder 24, the crown 176 of the valve seat 173 is moved out of engagement with the conical surface 123 of the valve head 122 as the sleeve member 92 is moved upwardly against the urgency of the compression spring 181 by the can to open the valve.

When the valve 12 is open, liquid, such as brine or syrup, flows from the tank 14 down through the passage 146 of the core 120 and into the can. If the machine has been in operation for some time, there will be some liquid remaining in the vent passage 150 from the preceding can filling operation. The air vented from the can is forced rapidly upwardly through the vent passage 150 and its extension 188 by the liquid entering the can. The deflector 192 on the vent passage extension returns to the tank 14 any liquid discharged from the vent passage 150. Subsequently, during the filling operation, the liquid in the can will reach a certain level depending upon how much liquid is displaced at the top of the can by the valve head 122, the end of the valve body 70 and the bead 218 of the sealing gasket 212. The resultant space remaining between Vthe liquid and the top edge of the filled can is known as head space. Therefore, when using the can sealing gasket 212 shown in Fig. l the amount of head space obtained is dependent partly upon how far the end of the valve 12 enters the can and partly upon the size of the bead 218. For a particular size can 36, such as the one shown (Fig. l) certain variations in head space may be made by adjustment of the can sealing unit 200 on the threads 106 of the sleeve member 92 by rotation of theholder 202. When suitable adjustment of the sealing unit is obtained, a lock nut 226,*also received upon the threads 106 of the sleeve member 92, is brought into engagement with the hub 210 of the holder 202 to prevent any undesired change in position thereof.

By use of an appropriately proportioned sealing gasket in the sealing unit 200, the particular valve 12 shown in the drawings is capable of performing successful filling operations upon cans within a wide range of diameters. When a properly proportioned gasket is used, the bead on the gasket will displace a predetermined quantity of liquid and thereby provide a definite amount of headspace in the lled can. Also, when the gasket-is properly proportioned, a narrow circular space 225 is formed between the cylindrical wall 220 of the bead 218 and the inside surface of the can. It has been found that the narrow circular space 225 is important to the present filling valve in successfully `performing rapid filling operations for which it is otherwise capable. During the filling operation, a column of liquid extending from the can through the valve to the surface of the liquid in the supply tank causes the air entrapped in the narrow circular space 225 to be somewhat compressed. This assures easy separation of the can 36 from the sealing gasket 212 at the end of the filling operation. In addition, the narrow circular space 225 prevents the turbulent liquid entering the can from washing air from this space thereby assuring a more accurate head space in the can. Frequently the cans are jiggled during separation of the valve from the filled cans. If it were not for the narrowness of the circular space 225, liquid could easily slop from the cans during removal of the valve end from the can.

Operation In preparing the machine 16 of the persent invention for operation, one valve 12 is assembled in each of the countersunk openings 66 of the storage tank 14, and a bifurcated key 168 is inserted into the kerfs 166 of the valve core to hold the various parts of each valve in assembled condition. Then the vent tube extension 188 is placed on the tenori 184 so that the loop 186 of the extension will hold the key 168 against accidental removal. Next, it is determined what size can is to be filled. Let it be assumed thatcans 33/16 inches in diameter, such as shown in Fig. l, are to be filled. A can sealing unit 200 is positioned on each sleeve 92 and adjusted to obtain the desired head space in the can. Suitable can holders, proportioned to the diameter of the cans handled, are used. The filling machine 16 is then set into operation by starting its drive motor (not shown) -so that the chain 40 of the feed conveyor (Fig. 4) is driven in synchronism with the operation of the filling machine. The cans are placed on the conveyor in upright position between the drag Flights 48 of the chain 40 to be moved by the chain between the parallel guides 50. As a can 36, propelled by the drag flights 48 of the chain 40, is moved into engagement with the guide rail 52, it is moved laterally from the conveyor 27 and the chain 40 into the filling machine 16 and onto whichever can holder 24 (Fig. 4) is indexed with the can. The guide flange 56 on the can holder 24 engages the can as it is moved onto the can holder 24 and continues to move the can along the guide rail 52. As the can on the holder 24 approaches the free end of the guide rail 52, the can is brought into engagement with one of the pockets 62 of the star wheel 60 that is driven in synchronism with the advance of the can holders so that one ofthe pockets 62, in cooperation with the semi-circular bracket 23 of the can holder, functions to position the can on the holder in `accurate axial alignment with the filling valve 12 thereabove.k

Upon continued circular advance of the can 36 by means of the can holder 24 in the direction of the arrow 19 (Fig. 4), the follower roller 32, associated therewith and riding upon the cam track 34, functions to raise the can vertically into engagement with the can sealing gasket 212 that forms part of the previously described can sealing unit 200. It is apparent (Fig. 1) that the can 36 is in accurate concentric alignment with the center opening 216 of the can sealing gasket 212 so as to form the narrow circular space 225 between the inside of the can and the cylindrical wall 220 of the bead 218. As the can is further raised by the upwardly moving can holder, the sealing unit 200 received upon the sleeve member 92 is raised against the force of the compression spring 181 of the valve. The resiliency of the can sealing gasket 212 permits positive sealing of the can during the filling operation. When, during the upward movement of the' sleeve 92 by the can 36, the crown 176 of the valve seat 173 is raised out of engagement with the conical surface 123 of the valve head 122, the valve is opened. Upon opening the valve, liquid from the storage tank 14 of the filling machine flows rapidly through the liquid passage 146 of the valve core 120 and into the can 36. As the liquid leaving the passage 146 irnpinges upon the conical surface 123 of the valve head 122, the liquid is directed in a fan shaped stream against the sides of the can. Simultaneously with the opening of the liquid passage 146, the vent passage 150 in the core of the valve is also opened. If the machine has been in operation for some time, there will be liquid in the vent passage 150 when it is opened. The unique elliptical shape of the vent passage enables the vented air to pass easily up the enlarged center of the vent passage through the liquid therein, while the liquid tends to flow down the arcuate corners 160 of the passage and into the can. In this Way, the venting action is performed rapidly while preventing foaming of the liquid. The liquid passage 146 through the valve has approximately yfour times as much crosssectional area as the vent passage 150. This particular ratio of areas in addition to the .shape of the vent passage and the associated vent passage extension 188 is important in assuring that air will be vented from the can through the Vent passage 150 instead of through the liquid passage 146, asfrequently occurs with other filling valves. The combination of size and shape of the two passages permits the valve of the present invention to perform its filling operation more rapidly and with less foaming than previous valves of a similar type.

As the can holder 24 approaches the can discharge station 230, (Fig. 4) the can holder is lowered as its follower roller 32 encounters the descent (not shown) in the cam track 34. During the lowering of the can, the compression spring 181 returns the sleeve 92 to its lowered position with the crown 176 of the valve seat 173 in valve closing relation upon the valve head 122. The can is now out of engagement with the can sealing gasket 212 and is removed from the can holder 24 by means of a stationary guide finger 232 as the turret is rotated (Fig. 4) and directed to a can closing machine (not shown).

Since it is not possible to achieve the threefold advantage obtained by means of the narrow circular space 225 provided by the can sealing gasket 212 when filling cans of a much greater or lesser diameter than the can illustrated in Fig. l, can sealing gaskets 240, 250 and 260, Figs. 8, 9 and l0,- respectively, to accomplish this purpose have been provided. It is to be understood that in Figs. 8, 9 and l0, only the'sealng gaskets have been modified. All other parts, which are identical to parts described in `connection with Fig. l, will be given the same reference numerals as in Fig. 1 plus a suiiix letter a, b or c in Figs. 8, 9 and 10, respectively.

The can sealing gasket 240 (Fig. 8) is for use in filling cans which range in size from 211A@ to 33A@ inches in di- 1o ameter. 'Ihis gasket 240 is a flat, circular ring which is as thick as the height of the lip 204:1 of the gasket holder 202a. The ring 240 is formed of resilient material such las plastic or rubber `and has a frfusto-conical outer edge 242 and a round central opening 243. In use, the frustoconical edge 242 cooperates with the frusto-conical surface 206a of the holder 202e in holding the ring therein. The round opening 243 cooperated with the neck 108e of the sleeve member 92a in the same manner as the opening 216 in the sealing gasket 212 of Fig. l sealingly engages the sleeve 92. The narrow circular space 225a is formed, during can filling, between the neck 108a of the valve body 70a and the inside of the can. With this gasket the desired head space in the can is obtained only by adjustment of the holder 202e on the threads 106a of the valve body.

The modified sealing gasket 250 (Fig. 9) has the same outer diameter as the gasket 212 of Fig. l and is received in an identical holder 202b. The gasket 250 comprises a bead 251 having a cylindrical outer surface 252 of greater height than the corresponding surface 220 of the bead 218 of the gasket 212 of Fig. l. A frusto-conical, inner surface 253 is provided on the bead 251 adjoining a flat edge 254 thereof, while a rounded corner 255 connects the cylindrical surface 252 and the flat edge 254. This sealing gasket 250 not only acts in the same manner as the gasket 212 of Fig. 1 to occupy space in the can which air would normally occupy, but in addition to the gasket 250, projects far enough into the can to occupy space in which liquid would otherwise be. With this arrangement, a desired head space is obtained in larger diameter cans by proper adjustment of the gasket 250 by means of the holder 202b. After the holder is properly adjusted, it is secured in position by means of a lock nut 226b. lt may be understood that sealing gaskets (not shown), similar to the gaskets 212 and 250, may be produced for use with the present valve to accommodate cans of various size up to a maximum diameter of seven inches.

Another embodiment of sealing gasket of the present invention is shown in Fig. l0. This gasket 265 is particularly well suited for use with cans containing such items as peach halves, pear halves, or other produce that may be easily bruised by parts of the valve that project into the can during filling with liquid. While this type of sealing gasket may be made for use with cans of smaller size than the one shown, it may be understood that usually peach halves and similar items are packed in 41/16 inch diameter cans, such as the one shown (Fig. 10) or in larger cans. A bead 261 of the gasket 260 is cylindrical in form having a rounded, bottom edge 262. The gasket 260 (Fig. l0) may be used with a holder 202e even though the body 263 of the gasket is thicker than that of the other sealing gaskets. The extra thickness of the gasket body 263 permits the end of the valve body 70C and the core 120e to be 'raised farther above the fruit in the can (Fig. l0) than could be obtained by use of a gasket having a body the same thickness as that of the gaskets 212, 240 or 250.

From the foregoing description it is apparent that in the use Aof the present valve a rapid, foam-free can filling is accomplished in a large measure by the particular configurations of the liquid passage and vent passage and by the `ratio of cross-sectional areas of the passages. The

generally elliptical cross-section of the vent passage is particularly effective in bringing about the rapid venting of the can during filling. Also, with the present arrangement, the vent passage may be opened throughout its entire length for cleaning and the provision of differently proportioned, interchangeable gaskets, each of which may be used to provide a narrow, circular space 225 adjacent the can mouth of cans within various ranges of diameter is particularly advantageous. In addition the present filling valve provides a novel way of locking the valve core in the valve body 70 by means of the bifurcated key 11 ,168 which is held against accidental removal by the loop 196 formed in the vent passage extension.

It will be understood that various changes and modifi cations may be made in the details of the present invention without departing from the spirit of the present invention and the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

l. A can filling valve comprising an elongated core having a pair of longitudinal slots, a bushing encircling a portion of said core, a `removable cover enclosing one of said slots to define a vent passage throughout substantially the entire length of said core, a valve head provided on said core at one end thereof, and a sleeve encircling a second portion of said core adjacent said bushing, said bushing and said sleeve cooperating to enclose the other of said slots to define a liquid flow passage, and said sleeve being mounted for sliding axial movement on said core toward and away from a position in engagement with said valve head whereby said passages may be closed or opened.

2. In a can filling valve the combination of a bushing, an elongated core having oppositely disposed longitudinal slots therein and an end portion removably secured in axial position in said bushing, a radially enlarged flange on the other end of said core, a sleeve mounted on said core between said radially enlarged flange and said bushing for sliding axial movement thereon, said bushing and said sleeve forming in conjunction with one of said slots a passage in said core, a cover for said other core slot to form another passage in said core, said sleeve being slidable on `said core from a position in contact with said flange and closing said passages to a position spaced from said flange `and opening said passages.

3. In a filling valve a generally cylindrical valve body having a central opening extending longitudinally therethrough, a core mounted in said central opening and having a pair of spaced longitudinal slots, and a cover disposed over one of said lslots between said valve body and said core to define `a vent passage, the otherof said core slots cooperating with the inner wall of said valve body to define a liquid flow passage.

4. In a can filling valve the combination of a bushing member, an elongated core of partially cylindrical configuration disposed in said bushing, said core having a vent Slot therein, a peripheral discontinuous shoulder on said core, a removable cover disposed over said vent slot to define a passage, a shoulder on said cover in engagement with said bushing, diametrically opposite kerfs formed adjacent one end of said core :being disposed in a plane normal to the axis of said core, means engageable with said core in said kerfs and one end of said bushing to lock said core shoulder securely in place against the other' end of said bushing, and abutment means on said core being disposed adjacent said vent passage whereby said cover is accurately positioned between said bushing member and said abutment means against axial movement relative to said core.

5. A can filling valve comprising a bushing, an elongated core positioned in said bushing, said core having a longitudinal slot therein, a separable cover disposed over said slot to define a vent passage, and cooperating means on said bushing and said core arranged to press against spaced points on said cover from opposite directions to lock said cover between said core and said bushing against axial movement when said core is positioned in said bushing member.

6. A can filling valve comprising an elongated core having a slot therein, a discontinuous shoulder formed peripherally on said core, abutment means on said core adjacent said slot, a separable cover enclosing said slot to form a vent passage throughout substantially the entire length of said core and being in engagement with said abutment means, a shoulder on said cover, cylindrical mounting means in engagement with the shoulderof said core and With'the shoulder of said cover, and a bifurcated key engageable with said core and with said core mounting means to retain said core and said cover against axial movement relative to said mounting means.

7. In a can filling valve the combination of a bushing, an elongated core of partial cylindrical configuration received in said bushing, a peripheral discontinuous shoulder on said core in engagement with one end of said bushing, diametrically opposite kerfs formed in said core adjacent one end and disposed in a plane normal to the axis of said core, and means disposed in said kerfs e11- gageable with the wall of said kerf and with the other end of said bushing to lock said core shoulder securely in place against the end of said bushing.

8. A can filling valve comprising a bushing member, an elongated core received in said bushing member, a discontinuous peripheral shoulder on said core in engagement lwith one end of said bushing member, diametrically opposite kerfs formed in said core adjacent the other end of said bushing member and disposed transversely to the axis of the core, and a bifurcated key disposed in said kerfs and engageable with said core and said other end of said bushing member to retain said core in said bushing member.

9. A can filling valve comprising a valve body having a shoulder, a core disposed in said body and having a slot therein, a `cover disposed over said slot to form a vent passage, means defining a shoulder on said core in abutting engagement with the shoulder on said valve body, a core retaining means engageable with said core and with said valve body to maintain said shoulders in engagement, a removable extension mounted adjacent said core to form an extension of said vent passage, and means on said extension in engagement with said core retaining means to positively hold said retaining means in core retaining position.

lO. A can filling valve comprising a body member having an opening therethrough, an elongated core in said body member and having a longitudinal slot, a cover cooperating with said slot to define a substantially elliptical vent passage therein, means for locking said core against axial displacement in said body member, a projection on said core cooperating with a portion of said cover to form a tenon through which said vent passage extends, a tube having an opening of substantially elliptical cross section forming a vent passage extension, a reverse bend formed at one end of said extension, one wall of said extension vbeing cut away throughout the' bight of said reverse bend, and a socket formed on the other end of said extension and engaged over said tenon whereby said extension is retained on said tenon -to continue the substantially elliptical shape of said vent passage relatively uninterrupted throughout the length of said passage and said extension.

ll. A can filling valve comprising a bushing member having a cylindrical lbore therethrough, an elongated core of partial cylindrical configuration having a reduced diameter portion at one end and an enlarged diameter portion at lthe other end, and having a longitudinal slot therein, a cover removably received over said longitudinal slot to define a passage, a discontinuous shoulder formed on said core between said reduced and enlarged diameter portions thereof, said reduced diameter portion of said core being disposed in said bushing to project therethrough and to seat said core shoulder against one end of said bushing, oppositely directed kerfs formed in the portion of said core projecting through said bushing and extending in a plane normal to the axis of said core, a bifurcatedkey having prongs disposed in said kerfs and in abutting contact with the other end of said bushing member, a tongue on said'key extending in a direction normal to said prongs'an axial projection on said core cooperating with the end of said cover to form a tenon, an extension having a tubular portion in communication withthe longitudinal passage .in .said core and a socket engageable on said tenonand a loop on said extension socket encircling the tongue'of said bifurcated key when said socket is receivable on said tenon to hold said key in engagement with said core in said kerfs and said bushing member.

l2. In a lling valve the combination of a bushing having an exteriorly grooved cylindrical end, an elongated core of partial cylindrical configuration and having a large diameter end portion and a small diameter end portion and a shoulder formed between said portions, said small diameter end portion being positioned in said bushing with said shoulder in engagement with said bushing, a conical valve head formed on said core at one end of said large diameter end portion, a sleeve slidably received on the large diameter end portion of said core between said valve head and said bushing, a cylindrical tlange on said sleeve surrounding the cylindrical end of said bushing, a gasket received in the groove of said bushing between the cylindrical end thereof and the interior of said cylindrical ilange of said sleeve, a valve seat on said sleeve, a shoulder formed on the exterior surface of said sleeve, a compression spring in operative engagement with said shoulder, a neck formed on said sleeve, screw threads on said sleeve between said neck and said shoulder thereof, a can sealing gasket holder threadedly received upon the screw threads of said sleeve, and a can sealing 4gasket sealingly received upon the neck of said sleeve tbelow said can sealing gasket holder whereby force exerted against said can sealing gasket is transmitted through said gasket holder to said sleeve to move said sleeve and said valve seat out of engagement with said valve head against the force of said compression spring.

13. In combination, a valve body having a neck formed on lthe discharge end of said valve body, container sealing means having a ilat annular container contacting body disposed in resilient sealing relation on the neck of said valve body, a circular .bead carried by said container sealing means and ybeing concentric with said opening therein, said bead having concentrically disposed side walls extending in a direction normal to said sealing means body, a rounded terminal end on said -bead,means for concentrically aligning a cylindrical container with said displacement member, and means arranged to move said container into engagement with said sealing means to dispose said container wall in concentric relation around said circular displacement member to provide a narrow circular pocket in said container between the wall of said container, said displacement member and said container sealing means.

14. In combination, a valve body, a neck formed on the discharge end portion of said valve body, a container sealing means having a at annular container contacting body disposed in resilient sealing relation on the neck of said valve body, a circular bead on the flat body of said sealing means concentric with said opening therein and having a cylindrical outer surface and an inwardly and upwardly angled frusto-conical inner surface on said bead, means for concentrically aligning a cylindrical container with said circular bead, and means arranged to move said container into engagement with said sealing means to dispose said container wall in concentric relation around said circular bead providing a narrow circular pocket in said container between the wall of said container, said bead and said container sealing means.

l5. In combination, a bushing having a bore therethrough, means for attaching said bushing to a supply tank of a filling machine, a cylindrical portion on said bushing having a peripheral slot adjacent the end of said bushing, an elongated valve core of partial cylindrical coniiguration having a longitudinal vent slot and a liquid slot, means including said bushing cooperating with one of said slots to provide a liquid passage through said core, an enlarged diameter portion at one end of said core, a reduced diameter portion at the other end of said core, a projection on said reduced portion through which the vent slot extends, a discontinuous peripheral lll shoulder formed on said core between said enlarged and reduced diameter portions, a conical valve head formed on said core at one end of said enlarged diameter portion, a projection in said liquid passage extending from said valve head to a point beyond said peripheral shoulder, abutment means formed on said core at the sides of said vent slot adjacent said conical valve head, a

separable cover disposed over said vent slot and extending from said abutment means to the end of said core projection to provide a vent passage of substantially elliptical shape, a shoulder on said cover, said core shoulder and said cover shoulder being in engagement with one end of said cylindrical portion of said bushing, a sleeve mounted on said enlarged diameter portion of said core for axial sliding movement thereon between said valve head and said bushing, said sleeve having a resilient crowned valve seat engageable with said valve head, a cylindrical llange on said sleeve, said flange being disposed in spaced relation about said cylindrical portion of said bushing, a gasket disposed in the slot in said bushing between the cylindrical portion of said bushing and the cylindrical ange of said sleeve, a radial flange on said sleeve at the base of said cylindrical ange, a wall on said sleeve, a neck formed on said wall, screw threads on said wall between said neck and the radial flange of said sleeve, a valve seat on one end of said sleeve, spring means interposed between said bushingV and the radial llange of said sleeve, removable means disposed between said core and said bushing to prevent removal of said core from said bushing, can sealing means adjustably carried on said sleeve and having an opening therein, the wall of said sealing means around said opening being in fluid-tight engagement with said neck of said sleeve, a vent passage extension having an opening of generally elliptical cross sectional shape associated with said vent passage, a reverse bent deilector on one end of said extension, a socket on the other end of said extension being received on said core projection, a loop on said extension engageable with said removable means, means for aligning cans with the opening in said can sealing means, and reciprocating means for moving said aligned cans into and out of engagement with said can sealing means to establish a narrow, circular pocket surrounding the interior of the can lip While in engagement with said sealing means.

16. In a can lling valve the combination of a bushing member, an elongated core removably positioned in said bushing, said core having spaced slots, and means including said bushing and said slots defining a liquid passage and a substantially elliptical vent passage.

17. In a can filling valve the combination of a fixed bushing member, an elongated core positioned'in said bushing, said core having spaced slots, means including said bushing and one of said slots defining a liquid passage, and a separable cover for the other of said slots dening a substantially elliptical vent passage, the ratio of the cross sectional area of the liquid passage to the cross sectional area of the vent passage being in the order of four to one.

18. In a can filling valve, the combination of a centrally apertured can sealing gasket holder having a peripherally disposed lip on one side thereof, an inverted frusto-conical surface interiorly of said lip, a centrally apertured sealing gasket, said gasket having an inverted frusto-conical outer edge for holding said gasket in said holder in engagement with said frusto-conical surface thereof, and a circular displacement bead formed on the exposed side of said gasket and disposed in spaced relation with respect to the outer and inner edges thereof, concentrically thereto.

19. In a can lilling valve the combination of a bushing member, an elongated valve core having a portion of reduced diameter at one end disposed in said bushing, said core having slots forming passages therein extending between opposite ends of said bushing, and tongue and groove'y means at the distal end of said reduced diameter portion for retaining said reduced diameter portion of said core against removal from said bushing.

20. In a can filling valve the combination of a bushing member, an elongated core having a reduced diameter portion at one endV positioned in said bushing, said core having slots forming passages therein extending between opposite ends of said bushing, an elongated cover for one of said slots in said core having an arcuate segmental portion at one end thereof substantially conforming in radius to the reduced diameter portion of said valve core, and means on said core and on said bushing engageable with said cover to retain the same against longitudinal movement relative to said core.

21. In a can filling valve the combination of a bushing member, an elongated valve core having a portion of reduced diameter at one end disposed in said bushing, said core having slots forming passages therein extending between Vopposite ends of said bushing, means adjacent the distal end of said reduced diameter portion for retaining said reduced diameter portion of said core against removal from said bushing, and means engageable with both said core and said core retaining means to retain said core retaining means against accidental removal.

22. In a filling valve the combination of a bushing member, an elongated core having a reduced diameter portion at one end disposed in said bushing, said core having slots forming passages therein extending between opposite ends of said bushing, an elongated cover -for one of said slots in said core having an arcuate segmental portion at one end thereof substantially conforming in radius to the reduced diameter portion of said valve core, tongue and groove means atthe distal end of said reduced diameter portion of said core for retaining said core against removal from said bushing, and means on said core and on said bushing engageable with said cover to retain the same against longitudinal movement relative to said core.

23. In a can filling valve core the combination of an upstanding web, concentrically disposed peripheral arcuate portions at opposite edges of said web extending throughout substantially the entire length of said web and forming a mutilated cylindrical portion in said core, said arcuate portions providing slots in said core at opposite sides of said web, and a valve head at one end of said web of greaterdiameter than the diameter of said' cylindrical portion and having a conical upper surface.

24. In a can filling valve core the combination of an upstanding web, concentrically disposed peripheral arcuate portions at opposite edges of said web extending throughout substantially the entire length of said web and forming a mutilated cylindrical portion in said core, said arcuate portions providing slots in said core at opposite sides of said web, avalve head at one end of said web being of greater diameter than, the diameter of said cylindrical portion and having a conical upper surface, and an axially extending projection on said valve head between cooperating ones of said peripheral arcuate portions defining one of said slots and havin-g a surface of equal radius to said cylindrical portion and disposed concentrically with respect to said arcuate portions.

25. In a can filling valve core the combination of an upstanding web, concentrically disposed peripheral arcuate portions at opposite edges of said web extending throughout substantially the entire length of said web and forming a mutilated cylindrical portion in said core, said arcuate portions providing slots in said core at opposite sides of said web, a valve head at one end of said web of greater diameter than the `diameter of said cylindrical portion and having a conical upper surface, a cover for one of said slots in said mutilated cylindrical portion and havingan outer surface substantially conforming to the diameter of said mutilated cylindrical porif?? tion, and abutment means on said peripheral arcuate portions bordering one of said slots, said abutment means being engageable with said cover at one end thereof to space the same from said valve head.

26. In a can filling valve core the combination of an upstanding web, concentrically disposed peripheral arcuate portions at opposite edges of said web extending throughout substantially the entire length of said web j and forming a mutilated cylindrical portion in said core,

said arcuate portions providing slots in said core at opposite sides of said web, a valve head at one end of said web of greater diameter than the diameter of said cylindrical portion and having a conical upper surface, an axially extending projection on said valve head between cooperating ones of said peripheral arcuate portions defining one of said slots and having a surface with a radius equal to the radius of said cylindrical portion and disposed concentrically with respect to said arcuate portions, a cover for the other of said slots in said mutilated cylindrical portion, said cover having an outer surfacefsubstantially conforming to the diameter of said mutilated cylindrical portion, and abutment means on said peripheral arcuate portions bordering one of said slots, said abutment means being engageable with said cover at one end thereof to space the same from said valve head.

27. In a can filling valve the combination of a stationary bushing member, an elongated core positioned in said bushing, said core having a pair of spaced slots extending along substantially the entire length of said core, means including said bushing and said slots defining a liquid passage and a substantially elliptical vent passage, the ratio of the cross sectional area of the liquid passage to the cross sectional area of the vent passage being in the order of four to one, a head formed on the end of said core, and a sleeve slidable on said core between a passage open position wherein said sleeve is removed from engagement with said head and a passage closing position wherein said sleeve is in engagement with said head.

28. In combination, a generally cylindrical filling valve body having therethrough a liquid conducting passage terminatingin a discharge opening at one end of the valve body, and a sealing gasket having a body portion axially adjustable on said valve body adjacent said end thereof and surrounding said discharge opening and an annular bead projecting from said body portion into a container engaging said sealing gasket body portion in coaxial relation with said cylindrical filling valve body, said bead having a cylindrical outer wall of lesser diameter than the container to define a narrow annular space of rectangular cross section between the bead and the container.

29. A can filling valve comprising a body member having an opening therethrough, an elongated core in said body member having a longitudinal slot, a cover cooperating with said slot to define a substantially elliptical vent passage therein, means for locking said core against axial displacement in said body member, a projection on said core cooperating with a portion of said cover to form a tenon through which said vent passage extends, a tube having an opening of substantially elliptical cross section forming a vent passage extensionfand a socket formed on one end of said extension and engaged over said tenon whereby said extension is retained on said tenon to continue the substantial elliptical shape of said vent passage substantially uninterrupted throughout the length of said passage and said extension.

30. In combination in a filling machine having a supply tank, a bushing mounted in fixed position in the tank, a sleeve disposed in slidable concentric overlapping relation with'said bushing and cooperating therewith to form a valve body having an opening therethrough in communication with the interior of the supply tank, a valve core releasably secured on said bushing in the opening of said valve body against axial displacement, a Valve head formed on the end of said core and c0- operating with said slidable sleeve to close the opening in the valve body, container sealing means encircling said sleeve and having a container contacting body with a central opening therethrough, said sealing means being mounted for axial adjustment relative to the sleeve, means for aligning a container with said valve body, and means :arranged to move the container into engagement with said sealing means and to move said sleeve out of engagement with said valve head.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Breeback Nov. 13, 

